GLAD Condemns MA Legislation Targeting Undocumented Immigrants

For immediate release: August 2, 2017

Contact: Carisa Cunningham, (617) 447-6500

GLAD Condemns Governor Baker’s Attempted End Run Around SJC Ruling on Unlawful Detention of Undocumented Immigrants

(Boston, MA) On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker introduced legislation that would allow law enforcement agents to detain undocumented immigrants without a warrant. The Governor’s proposal is in response to a ruling last week from the Supreme Judicial Court that Massachusetts law does not permit state law enforcement to hold undocumented immigrants in custody under so-called ICE detainers.

“Governor Baker’s proposal is an unconstitutional and unjustifiable attempt to subvert due process. I am disappointed to see the Governor joining the Trump Administration in scapegoating undocumented immigrants who live and work as part of all of our communities here in the Commonwealth. Violating the rights of Massachusetts residents in order to align with the Administration’s inhumane and overzealous immigration policies is unlawful and will not make us safer.”

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.